turtle sunbathing ontop of another

[paul_smars]

@lissener

They instintively climb higher; doing so consistently ensures they’ll always get the most sun available.

There’s no such thing as a turtle with a solid, one=piece carapace. What you probably saw was a Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), whose scutes are pretty well flush and can seem like a single smooth piece from a distance; and a Red-Eared Slider (Trachemys scripta), whose scutes can appear more distinct.

Depending on where you were, of course; those are the two most common terrapins in the US.

oops, I should have said looks like one piece. Central West cost Florida.

[toadspittle]

No one has addressed the, to me, obvious bit of weirdness here: Why does the larger turtle TOLERATE a small turtle climbing on top of it? I see why the small turtle goes where it does, but why does the large turtle allow it?

[paul_smars]

@toadspittle

… I see why the small turtle goes where it does…

Why?

[netscape_6]

@toadspittle

No one has addressed the, to me, obvious bit of weirdness here: Why does the larger turtle TOLERATE a small turtle climbing on top of it? I see why the small turtle goes where it does, but why does the large turtle allow it?

The larger one probaly does notice it’s there. I don’t think they have much feeling on their shells. Also if it does notice the smaller one I bet it would more trouble then it’s worth to remove it.

[toadspittle]

@paul'smars

Why?

More sun, could care less that the other turtle’s not a rock, etc. Little turtle just climbing higher; happens to climb another turtle.